Glarner leaves the National Council at the end of the year (cross-border guide)

Andreas Glarner (UDC/AG) announces his resignation from the Federal Parliament on 31 December 2026. He also leaves the presidency of the Argosino party.
Context
In a nutshell
- Andreas Glarner resigns from the National Council on 31 December 2026
- He also leaves the presidency of the UDC party of the Canton of Aargau
- Member of the Federal Parliament since 2015, cantonal president since 2020
Key facts
- Who: Andreas Glarner, UDC National Councillor, 63 years old
- What: Resignation from the National Council and the cantonal party presidency
- When: 31 December 2026 (one year before the legislative deadline)
- Where: Canton Aargau
- In Parliament since: 2015
- Chairman of the party since: 2020
National Councillor Andreas Glarner (UDC/AG) today announced his resignation from the National Council. The deadline is 31 December, when both his parliamentary office and the presidency of the cantonal party of Aargau will cease. The announcement was made public during the assembly of the Argovian UDC section in Obweril-Lieli.
At 63, Glarner closes a parliamentary experience that began in 2015. From the leadership of the cantonal party he retires after five years, having assumed the presidency in 2020. The timing of the choice - resigning one year before the natural conclusion of the legislature - gives the successor the opportunity to familiarize himself with federal jobs before the 2027 parliamentary renewal.
Motivations and generational turnover
In announcing the decision, Glarner said, “Politics is not a possession, but a fixed-term assignment. It is time to entrust both positions to
Operational details
Implications for the Argosian representation
With Glarner's departure from the National Council at the end of the year, the Canton of Aargau will be replaced in its parliamentary delegation even before the natural expiry of the legislature. Currently, the Canton of Aargau is represented by eight deputies to the National Council, in proportion to its population. The replacement of Glarner will mean not only a change of person, but potentially of political dynamics in the Algerian delegation during the period that separates his farewell from the complete renewal of the Federal Parliament.
The successor will have about a year to gain experience in federal parliamentary work before the 2027 federal elections, when the two chambers of the Swiss Parliament are completely renewed. This time frame allows for an orderly transition and institutional continuity, avoiding sudden representative gaps.
The role of the National Council in federal legislation
The National Council is one of the two chambers of the Swiss Federal Parliament (the other being the Council of States). He has legislative competences on matters of national importance, including federal taxation, economic and social policies affecting the costo della vita in Switzerland, and the regulation of the Swiss labour market.
Generational turnover and cantonal leadership
Glarner's decision to relinquish both of his positions in favor of younger leadership represents
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Key points
Succession procedure in the coming months
Before December 31, 2026, the Canton of Aargau will have to complete two parallel processes: the appointment of the new national councillor and the choice of the new president of the cantonal SVP party. The procedure requires coordination between the cantonal and federal levels of the political organization, as well as compliance with the internal statutes of the Aargau section.
The cantonal section of the SVP has already announced that it will provide details on the succession 'in due course'. This means that, barring unexpected advances, the precise timing of the appointment will be made public in the following months, ahead of the December 31 deadline.
Transition timeline
The timeframe between now (late August 2026) and December 31, 2026, gives the party almost five months to organize the succession. This time horizon allows for internal consultations, evaluation of candidates, preparation of the new delegate for the parliamentary role, and unhurried internal and external communication regarding the leadership change.
Broader institutional context
The National Council is made up of 200 deputies representing the 26 Swiss cantons in proportion to their population. Each canton designates its own representatives following internal procedures, generally through political parties. The resignation of a deputy during a legislative term is a rare but not exceptional event in the Swiss federal parliamentary landscape.
The succession to the National Council does not require supplementary elections, only designation by the cantonal section of the party. The decisions of the lower house of the Swiss Federal Parliament affect matters that directly impact citizens: from federal tax rates to national labor market regulations.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- Why did Glarner resign before the end of the legislature?
- He stated that he considers it appropriate to entrust the assignments to "younger and more dynamic hands", considering the policy a "fixed-term assignment". The choice allows the successor to gain experience by the natural end of the legislature in 2027, favouring generational change.
- When will the Canton of Aargau have a new national councillor?
- Glarner's successor will take office by December 31, 2026. The UDC section of Aargau will communicate the identity of the candidate in the coming months, according to the internal procedures of the party and the times it deems appropriate.
- How does the succession to the National Council work?
- No additional elections are required. The cantonal section of the party designates the successor according to its own statutes and internal procedures. The designation must take place before the deadline set at 31 December 2026. The process does not require a federal ballot.
- How many deputies does the Canton of Aargau have to the National Council?
- The Canton of Aargau is represented by eight national councillors, proportionally to its population among the 26 Swiss cantons. Glarner's replacement concerns one of these eight seats.
- What happens if the new deputy is not elected by 31 December?
- The source does not specify alternative modes. However, the UDC party announced that it will provide information on the succession 'in due course', suggesting that the appointment will take place regularly before the set deadline.